Synonyms of shudder

shudder 1 of 2

noun

as in shiver

an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold

a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shiver
• tremble
• quiver
• tremor
• jolt
• wobble
• wave
• quake
• agitation
• shake
• fluctuation
• flutter
• vibration
• throb
• pulse
• convulsing
• palpitation
• oscillation
• pulsation
• beat

shudder

2 of 2

verb

ˈshə-dər 

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements

huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• jerk
• tremble
• shiver
• quiver
• vibrate
• convulse
• twitch
• jolt
• wobble
• sway
• quake
• jiggle
• bucket
• agitate
• judder
• jounce
• throb
• joggle
• flicker
• swing
• flutter
• thrill
• wave
• chatter
• rock
• fluctuate
• waver
• quaver
• palpitate
• undulate
• oscillate
• pulse
• pulsate
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• beat
• pitter-patter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shudder

Noun

Beijing threatened to impose an export ban last year, sending a shudder across US industry. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Whoever ends up playing the America 250 or (shudder) Freedom 250 gigs, the Chicks are our pick for Band of the Sesquicentennial. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2026

Verb

The system shudders a bit and then gets back to normal, like a person stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle faces discomfort and difficulty walking for a while. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026